Asking Someone to Be Your Mentor

I think it’s time that we should get to know each other. But before that, I just want to let you know why suddenly, out of nowhere, I wrote to you. Having spent a considerable time in the industry and being at a place in my career where I should have been self-sufficient and secure about making my own choices, I write to you because I think it’s the right time to have someone who has been there and done that. As for why I did not need a mentor before, I think I needed to make a few mistakes to learn. Now, I think is the right time..For as they say, “When the Student is Ready, the Teacher will come”.

Dear Future Mentee,

I am pretty impressed by your polite words; however, I am not sure. It would take something more than a letter to impress me. I need to understand why ‘ME’ of all the people. Before you write in a few kind words again, please read what CareerBuilder India has to say regarding approaching someone to be your mentor.

1. Be Specific: Whether you are looking for someone who can guide you better on your Marketing skills, or for someone who can coach you on the latest PHP skills, you need to be specific with your requirements. You also need to mention very clearly where you see the need of a mentor to step in. Remember, mentors are pretty busy. They do not have time to read through your mails. They’d like to see what’s in for them and HOW can they help.

2. List Your Positives and Negatives: Now, you don’t want to give them the idea that you are just looking for a mentor for the sake of looking for a mentor. They will also require you to analyze your strengths and weaknesses before being able to decide whether they will be able to help you out or not. Once that is done, the next thing is to decide whether they want to help you or not. That, will depend on the potential they see in you.

3. Define Your Goal: Your goal is one of main sketch of your personality. It gives out hints about your vision and purpose in life. Mentors are interested in unbundling your approach towards material and aspirations values. Only when they are able to figure out where your locus of control lies – that whether it is extrinsic or intrinsic – they will be able to guide you better.

4. Meet in Person: Let’s face it; half of the mails you write, never reach in time (at least it seems so). Some of them are not read, and the remaining are not paid any heed to. If you are serious about getting yourself a mentor, call them up and set up a meeting. It need not be a formal one, but meeting in person is important to establish the ‘first’ connect as a teacher and student. You’ll be able to know for yourself whether you want someone as a mentor or not, once you meet them in person.